Any and all corrections to the following minutes will be made at the 02/17/00 Board of Selectmen's Meeting and are considered unapproved until then. Corrections will be noted in the minutes of that meeting.
MINUTES - REGULAR MEETING
BOARD OF SELECTMEN
FEBRUARY 3rd, 2000
NEWFANE TOWN OFFICE
PRESENT:
Selectmen: Michael Rohan, Jesse Anderson, and Richard Dowley.
Absent: Lynn Bedell and Carter Van Iderstine.
Also Present: Jonathan Julian, Hilary Cooke (AFLAC), James Gray, Road Foreman, and Doris A. Knechtel, Administrative Assistant.
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Regular Meeting of the Board was called to order by Chairman M. Rohan at 7:04 p.m.
2. SCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
A. WILLIAMSVILLE HALL COMM. - LETTER & LIST FOR DISCUSSION
Jonathan Julian presented a letter from the Williamsville Hall Committee regarding the heating system at the hall.
The system needs to be improved. It has been worked on many times recently, but the deficiencies have not
been corrected. The committee has suggested that Brooks Mitchell look at the whole system.
He will not charge for the review and written proposal for improvements.
Board members agreed to have B. Mitchell look at the system and make his recommendations.
M. Rohan indicated that the $15,000 capital inclusion in the budget for improvements to the Williamsville
Hall for fiscal year 2000 may be needed for a number of different projects such as electrical improvements,
windows, painting, etcetera. Any project over $2,000 will need to be put out to bid according to the
town bid policy. J. Anderson indicated that the Board may consider having B. Mitchell do the work
depending on the outcome and amount of his proposal.
A list was presented to the Board that had been prepared by the hall committee at their meeting of 02/01.
After discussion, it was decided by that Board that the first item, the garage doors, would be moved out
of the hall to the old town garage site and put under a tarp until sold.
The "For Sale" advertisement for the doors will be put in the newspaper this next week.
The highway signs, mentioned in the second item, have been removed by the highway crew.
The Board members present did not feel that it would be necessary to order a dumpster for the Saturday cleanup.
The estimated cost mentioned was $350.
An inventory list of the items at the Williamsville Hall, taken by D. Brooks and D. Knechtel on 01/11,
was presented to the Board for review. On the list items were suggested to be kept, sold at auction,
questionable or thrown away. Motion was made by M. Rohan and seconded by R. Dowley to have Jesse Anderson
represent the Board at the "clean up" of the Williamsville Hall on Saturday, February 5th, for any decisions
that may be needed. Unanimous.
B. HILARY COOKE - AFLAC REPRESENTATIVE
Hilary Cooke came before the Board to follow-up on any progress that may have been made since he
last spoke about supplemental insurance to be offered to employees on a pre-tax plan. He has talked with
highway employees and some have shown interest. There needs to be three in a group in order for
AFLAC to begin the Flex One program. Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded R. Dowley to have
Chairman Michael Rohan sign the request form for Flex One
documentation for consideration of adopting a Flexible Benefits Plan in accordance with Section 125
of the Internal Revenue Code for the interested Newfane employees. Unanimous.
If after the program is in place and the town membership drops below three, the others enrolled may continue.
The Board will also ask for advise from insurance professionals.
3. UNSCHEDULED MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC
No other members of the public were present who wished to discuss any matters with the Board.
4. ROAD BUSINESS
A. ROAD COMMISSIONER'S REPORT
No written report was submitted by the Road Commissioner.
B. ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT - (See attached report)
The Board reviewed his report.
(1) Item #6 - Heavy tractor trailer log trucks without excess weight permits are using
South Wardsboro Road (TH#1) and Dover Road (TH#2). The list of the approved Newfane Excess Weight
Limit Permits will be forwarded to the WCSD.
(2) Item #4 - Vehicles that are left in the roads during snow storms should be towed.
Winter regulations have been posted and are in effect until May 1, 2000.
"Any vehicle parked on a highway right of way so as to interfere with snow removal will be towed at the owner's
expense." The WCSD has been notified.
(3) Item #2 - Ice buildup in ditches and culverts has occurred in several area during this open winter
season. The main road areas have been cleaned.
C. EXCESS WEIGHT PERMITS
No Excess Weight Permits were presented that required action by the Board.
D. ACCESS/RIGHT OF WAY PERMITS
No Access/Right of Way permits were presented to the Board that required any action.
E. OTHER ROAD BUSINESS
(1) Cushing Flats Road (TH#6) has been plowed to the beginning of the legal trail for a logging operation.
(2) Someone has plowed through on the Newfane Hill Road (TH#20) to Grout Road (TH#19) and on the end of
Baker Brook Road (TH#19). The signs are still up to indicate that the road is closed and not maintained.
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. APPOINTMENTS
(1) ZONING BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT - (2002) - No action taken.
B. OTHER OLD BUSINESS
(1) Williamsville Hall Furnace - J. Gray indicated that Crystal, Ice & Fuel Co. installed the
furnace some 10 years ago. Barrows has assisted in getting the furnace running on various occasions
recently when the exhaust fan shut down and when the bathrooms froze. Jeffers Plumbing has also assisted
in the past with the furnace problems. The internal system and the zones are still not heating correctly.
The Board indicated that B. Mitchell will be preparing an assessment of the furnace problems with recommendations
for the Board's consideration.
(2) Old Garage Doors - Board members indicated that the old garage doors are to be moved out of
the Williamsville Hall and next to the old town garage under a tarp on Saturday (02/05).
The doors will be advertised "for sale" this next week. J. Gray objected to moving the doors outside.
The doors which were purchased by the town for $600 are currently in good shape.
Being outside, the hardware will become rusted. Board members indicated that the
time will be limited for outside exposure of the doors. A group of citizens will be cleaning the hall
on 02/05 and progress on the cleaning and use of the hall needs to move forward.
J. Gray emphasized that the hall belongs to all of the Newfane residents.
(3) J. Gray has contacted Richards Insurance regarding recent freeze problems with the Town Garage
and the Town Office. The invoice from Al Jeffers & Sons will be forwarded to the insurance company f
or payment consideration.
6. NEW BUSINESS
A. DECEMBER FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The December 1999 financial information has not been received as of this time.
B. OTHER NEW BUSINESS
Board members spent some time discussing recent meeting regarding the Leland & Gray budget,
the number of students at the school from Newfane and the actual cost per student.
7. ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT'S REPORT
A. The 1999 Town Report has been brought to the printers today for reports to be printed an ready
for mailing sometime during the week of February 14th. Now the work that has been put on hold can be completed.
B. A memo of resignation as a member of the Williamsville Hall Committee has been received from D. Knechtel to be effective immediately.
C. The Articles of Warning have been reviewed with the Moderator, Fred Houston, to discuss the wording. He will discuss the articles with the Chairman M. Rohan before the town meeting on March 7th beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Union Hall.
D. The Board discussed the location of the meeting with representatives from the VAOT regarding the options for the rehabilitation/replacement of the covered bridge. The Board has decided to have the meeting at the Williamsville Hall on February 17th beginning at 6:30 p.m. M. Rohan will write a letter to the editor for inclusion in the Reformer.
E. A letter has been received by D. Knechtel, WSWMD Supervisor, from Lin Hozempa expressing her concerns about the recycling containers being full. DAK explained the events concerning the recycling containers and contact with the district. The truck was down for a couple of days. An empty container for paper was delivered today (02/03) and Ms. Hozempa was contacted by DAK. J. Anderson will contact Ms. Hozempa about her letter.
8. MINUTES
The minutes of the Regular Meeting of 01/06/00 and the Special Meeting of 01/11/00 will be considered at the February 17th meeting. The minutes of 01/20/00 have not been completed due to time being spent on preparing the town report information.
9. PAY ORDERS
A. Motion was made by J. Anderson and seconded by R. Dowley to approve the Newfane Payroll
and Accounts Payable Warrants, as signed, for the following amounts:
01/22/00 Payroll $ 2,796.53
01/29/00 Payroll $ 3,222.05
02/01/00 Payroll $ 1,403.65
02/04/00 Acct's Payable #16 $ 312,981.98
Unanimous
B. IRS Electronic Federal Payroll Tax Payments
01/25/00 $ 1,118.14
02/01/00 $ 1,065.01
10. CORRESPONDENCE
A. A letter, a copy of the PC report for the Town Report and a statutory list of
Powers & duties of the Planning Commission have been received by the Board from
John Spicer regarding the status of the Bylaw revisions. The PC suggested contracting with Steve
Stitzel of VLCT to analyze the proposed Bylaw. Mr. Spicer also indicated that he will not seek
reappointment to the Planning Commission for another term. His third term on the commission expires in March.
B. A letter has been received from State Rep. Walter E. Freed and Senator John H. Bloomer, Jr.
regarding suggested Public Survey Questions to be considered at town meeting about same-sex marriages/domestic
partnership issues. The Board did not discuss the letter.
C. The various Windham County Sheriff's Department Activity Reports for 11/28/99 through 01/08/00 have
been received.
D. A copy of the January 2000 VLCT News has been received.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
No matters requiring an Executive Session came before the Board at this time.
12. ADJOURNMENT
Motion was made by R. Dowley and seconded by J. Anderson to adjourn the Regular Meeting of
the Newfane Board of Selectmen at 9:00 p.m. Unanimous.
Doris A. Knechtel
Administrative Assistant
Newfane Board of Selectmen
Posted: Town Clerk's Office, Newfane Store, Patsy's County Seat Market,
Lessing's Family General Store and South Newfane General Store & Deli and www.webwerk.com/newfane
ROAD FOREMAN'S REPORT 2/03/00
TOWN OF NEWFANE HIGHWAY
1. Winter storms on 1/21/00, 1/25 + 26/00, and on 1/31/00 have kept the road crew busy plowing, salting, and sanding. Storms were followed with strong winds and very cold temperatures.
2. Ice buildup in ditches and culverts occurred during the open winter with severe cold temperatures. The snow cover has stopped the ice buildup.
3. Winter sand is being replenished by Zaluzny at the town garage.
4. Vehicles have been left on roads during storms impeding snow and ice removal. The Windham County Sheriff's Department is being notified.
5. Equipment:
a. The Snow King plow is being worked on by VT Municipal.
b. All equipment is operational.
6. Heavy tractor trailer log trucks continue to use So. Wardsboro Rd. (TH#1) and Dover Rd. (TH#2)
Respectfully submitted,
James O. Gray
Town Offices:
Route 30, P.O. Box 36, Newfane VT 05345, Tel. (802) 365-7772
Please send all comments, suggestions and questions to info@newfanevt.com
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